Jay Timmons' Receives TFAS Congressional Award

Talking Points Prepared for Jay Timmons
President and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers
Fund for American Studies Award Dinner
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Washington, DC

Thank you, Juanita,
for that very kind introduction. You are a strong leader whom I admire
greatly. You and so many folks here this
evening from the business advocacy community have been great partners and
allies for the NAM.

Thank you, as well, to the Fund for American Studies for the outstanding work you do to
train future leaders—and also for this award.

You know, it’s a privilege to be recognized
simply for doing a job I love and for speaking out for values I believe in.

It’s also a great honor to share the stage
alongside my good friend and home state senator and former governor, Mark Warner…as well as Senator Cory Gardner who is quickly making his
mark in the Senate.

And I have to give a special shout out to my
friend and a friend of Minnesota manufacturers, Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

These three Senators are individuals of
character who improve our country through the work they do today, and who – I
hope and predict – will be entrusted with greater leadership roles in the
future.

There’s a reason for that. In a town that’s
divided, in a country that’s divided, they have shown the commitment to advance
values that unite us.

I’m thinking
specifically of the four core values that make America exceptional:Free enterprise,Competitiveness,Individual Liberty,and Equal Opportunity.

Too often one party focuses on just the first two
of those principles, while the other party focuses on the other two.

When you can bring all four principles
together…that’s when you can move this country forward.

So I encourage the future leaders in this
audience to follow the examples of these three leaders. If you do, you won’t go wrong.

One of the things I was asked to do is offer
some pieces of advice this evening to those of you launching your careers.

So I jotted down a few thoughts. Some is advice
I followed. Some is advice I wish I had followed. Many of the people in this
audience are successful today because they applied these rules as they climbed
their career ladders.

1) Take
advantage of every reception or free meal. Not to save a buck—but to meet
people that perhaps someday you’ll work with. And don’t drink alcohol while you
are there. Save that for another time. Instead, be strategic and nurse a glass
of club soda. Because when you’re clear-headed and others around you might not
be, you’ll pick up on a lot and learn much more.

2) Dress
for success. My dad said you’ll never be overdressed unless you wear a tux
to a picnic. If the invite says “business casual,” wear a tie anyway. You’ll be
noticed. People will talk…and they will remember.

3) Always
ask for more to do. Get your job done first and do it well. But then ask
for more. Never shy away from more work.

4) Respect.
Respect. Respect. Respect diversity. Respect those with whom you disagree.
Listen, even when the other person is wrong. You’ll be better able to advance
your point by learning more about the other side of an issue. Protect your
integrity and admit error if you screw up – everyone does. Be inclusive and respect the “nerd” in the
group; don’t ignore him or her. That person may well be your boss someday.

5) Communicate
effectively. There is nothing more
powerful than the written word. Do away
with emojis, abbreviations and focus on expanding your vocabulary. Get over your fear of public speaking and
practice in front of audiences. And
related to #4, don’t disrespect those you are speaking to by using profanity. It’s a weakness. If you can’t make your point without cursing,
then it probably isn’t work making.

6) Join
organizations. I was a member of College Republicans and Young Republicans.
Your future boss might be there. You’ll find the peers you’ll work with for
years, just like I did. But in addition to organizations where you will make
professional contacts, also find an organization – like a charity – that lets
you give back. For me, that was the Washington Humane Society and I’ve been
amazed at how my work there has intersected with my career.

7) Use
social media wisely. It’s not something I had to worry about so much in my
younger years. But everything you do is recorded for history. So think before
you tweet—or Snapchat. One word: screenshot.

8) It’s
not about you; it’s about the team. One time when I worked in a
Congressman’s office, I thought it would be good idea to fax out a press
release about something I was doing, a press release about me.
Well, as you might guess, that Congressman quickly became my former
employer. A few years later, I decided
to make a political statement while I worked at the RNC. I publicly took on an incumbent Congressman
on an issue I disagreed with him about. I was called into the office of the RNC’s
senior advisor, Charlie Black. I was scared to death. Thought I would be fired on the spot – and
probably should have been. But in his
wise way, he counseled me instead. He
said: “You’re very passionate. You can choose to use that for good or bad. I
suggest good. I suggest you be a team player.” He was so right. If you want to a good leader, you also need
to know when to support the leadership of others.

9) Learn
for life. The allure of this town is great. I caught the political bug, so
bad that I didn’t finish my degree. There’s a lot I missed…not just a piece of
paper, but the exposure to new concepts.
After college, keep learning.
Read books, especially about things you don’t think will appeal to
you. It’s the only way to expand your horizons.

10) Get
to know the boss. Don’t be shy. Don’t hesitate to ask him or her questions.
And be prepared if you have the opportunity to do so. I tell my team: no question is a bad
question.

So, there you have it. Ten tips for success.

If you can commit to some or all of those, you’ll
get noticed. And someday, you will be offering
your own tips that enabled you to become the leaders that I know you will be
for America’s future.